HOW DOES MERCURY GET INTO FISH?
MERCURY IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Mercury is an atmospherically deposited toxic metal, which
has contaminated waterbodies throughout Vermont and
other states. Mercury is emitted to the atmosphere during
the combustion of fossil fuels and municipal and medical
waste. It is subsequently deposited to watersheds. On the
landscape, mercury undergoes a transformation known as
methylation. Highly toxic methylmercury is easily assimilated
by microscopic organisms at the bottom of the food web.
Once in the food web, methylmercury bio-accumulates,
reaching higher concentrations in the tissues of predatory
fishes. Mercury is also directly assimilated by fish across the
gill membrane.
MERCURY AND HEALTH
Mercury has been found at unsafe levels in fresh water fish
in many lakes and ponds in the northeast. Scientific studies
have linked mercury with developmental problems, and
with kidney and nervous system damage. Women who are
pregnant should not eat fish with high levels of mercury.
Mercury affects fetal development, preventing the brain and
nervous system from developing normally. Affected children
show lowered intelligence, impaired hearing, and poor
coordination. Nationwide, more than thirty states currently
have freshwater fish consumption advisories. Due to the
level of mercury contamination in Vermont, the Department
of Health has issued health advisories concerning the levels
of mercury found in certain species of fish in reference to
particular bodies of water. It has been determined that
walleye, smallmouth bass, and chain pickerel show the
highest concentrations of mercury. Please see the Health
Department’s website (www.healthyvermonters.info/) for
the most current advisory.
COMMON MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT MERCURY AND
FISH
Misperception: “Larger fish have less mercury.”
Fact: This is Not True. Mercury accumulates as it moves
up the food chain. Therefore, the large, predatory
fish accumulate more mercury in their tissues. The
older and larger the fish, the greater the potential
for high mercury levels in their bodies.
Misperception: ”Thoroughly cooking the fish will get rid of
the mercury.”
Fact: This is Not True. There is no method of cooking
or cleaning a fish that will eliminate the amount
of mercury in a meal. Mercury is tightly bound to
the proteins in all fish tissue, including muscle.
Mercury does not accumulate in any one area and
cannot be cut from the fish.
MORE INFORMATION ON MERCURY IN FISH
Go to the Health Department’s Web page at
www.healthyvermonters. info/. Or, call 802-241-3455. There
is also a mercury website at www.mercvt.org.
84 FISHING INFO
FISH IDENTIFICATION
PICKEREL FAMILY
Look for the color pattern but particularly notice the
scalation of the cheek and gill cover.
Pickerel
Have both cheek and
gill fully scaled
Northern Pike
Have upper half of gill
cover scaled and fully
scaled cheek.
Muskies
Have only the upper
half of gill and cheek
scaled.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO FISH IS $500
Atlantic salmon live in the Connecticut River and its tributaries.
Your cooperation is essential for their survival. Know the difference
between trout and salmon. Young salmon (parr) resemble brown
trout. Familiarize yourself with the difference. Most parr rarely
exceed 6 inches in length. Violations of the law governing Atlantic
salmon may result in a $500 fine.
AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES
TYPES OF AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES
EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL. Prolific aquatic plant found
in Lake Champlain and many inland lakes in Vermont.
Interferes with boating, fishing and swimming, and displaces
native plants. Easily spread when plant fragments are caught
and moved on boat trailers, propellers, anchors and other
equipment, or in live wells.
RELEASING FISH
Harvesting and eating a freshly caught fish, be it a trout, bass,
perch, or walleye, is part of the angling experience. However,
catch-and-release fishing has taken off in popularity, and there
is nothing wrong with fishing for sport and putting your catch
back to be caught another day. If you choose to do so, it is
important to follow certain steps to ensure the fish you release
truly will survive to fight another day. The following guidelines
will help released fish live.
ZEBRA MUSSEL. Tiny D-shaped mollusk, well established
in Lake Champlain and Lake Bomoseen. Clog water intake
pipes, damage boat engines, obscure historic shipwrecks,
and alter native species populations. Adult zebra mussels
can attach and be moved on boat hulls, engines and other
equipment. Microscopic larva can get trapped and moved in
water of boat engines, bilges, bait buckets, and live wells.
• Land fish as rapidly as possible, using tackle that is
adequate but sporting. A fish played gently for too long may
be too exhausted to recover and has an increased chance of
dying after release.
WATER CHESTNUT. Prolific annual plant found in southern
Lake Champlain, Lake Bomoseen, and a few inland lakes.
Interferes with boating, hunting and fishing, and displaces
native plants. Spreads by seeds or parts of plants caught on
boats and equipment.
• Remove hooks gently and carefully from fish hooked
in the lip, jaw or mouth. Never rip the hook out, use the
“hook shake” method. Reach into the fish’s mouth and
grasp the hook shank with fingers or pliers. Lift the fish
slightly out of the water, rotate hook shank so eyelet is down
and shake gently. The weight of the fish will cause it to pop
off the hook.
ALEWIFE. Small baitfish recently established in Lake St.
Catherine and Lake Champlain. May displace smelt and
other native forage fish. Alewives may not be used as bait
in Vermont.
MUTE SWAN. Very large white bird with orange bill,
observed annually in Vermont since 1993. Highly aggressive
during the nesting season and may drive away or kill native
waterfowl. May also attack humans and negatively impact
aquatic habitats.
SEA LAMPREY. Parasitic fish found in Lake Champlain and
a number of its tributaries. Preys on salmon, trout, and
other fish, causing substantial economic impact to the lake
fisheries.
STOP THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES
When moving between waterbodies:
INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment (anchors,
centerboards, rollers, axles) and remove any plants and
animals.
DISCARD unused bait in the trash or leave with someone
fishing in the same waterbody.
DRAIN water from the motor, live well, bilge, and transom
wells before leaving any waterbody.
RINSE boat and equipment with tap water (preferably hot)
or at a car wash.
DRY boat and equipment in the sun for at least 5 days.
LEARN how to identify aquatic nuisance species.
REPORT sightings of suspected aquatic nuisance species
to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, 802-2413700, or the Department of Environmental Conservation,
802-241-3777.
NOTICE: TRANSPORTING EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL,
ZEBRA MUSSELS, OR WATER CHESTNUT IS ILLEGAL
Pursuant to 10 VSA 1266, violators are subject to an
immediate penalty of up to $150.00 plus a surcharge.
• Keep the fish in the water as much as possible and
handle them with care. Gently restrain the fish to minimize
its movement while unhooking it.
• Use barbless hooks, or pinch barb flat with pliers, to
quicken the unhooking process. Barbless hooks, when
used with bait, can increase the survival of released fish.
• Do not attempt to remove the hook if the fish is hooked
in the gills, throat or stomach. Leave the hook in the fish by
cutting the line as close to the knot as possible, Taking care
not to injure the fish. The hook will often rust out of the fish
or be passed within a few days. However, if legal, an injured
fish is always a good candidate for harvesting!
• When fishing with live bait, watch the line continuously
and set the hook as soon as possible. This reduces the
chances of the fish swallowing the bait and the need for
cutting the leader and leaving the hook in the fish.
• Try not to expose the fish to the freezing air when
ice fishing. Keep the fish in the hole while unhooking it if
possible. If not, unhook it as quickly as possible and return it
to the water immediately to prevent the fish’s eyes and gills
from freezing.
• Before
releasing an
exhausted
fish, cradle it
in a swimming
position in calm
water and move
it gently back
and forth to
force fresh water
through its gills.
When the fish is
able to maintain
an upright
Tom Jones
position on its
own and is beginning to struggle, let it go. This process can
sometimes take up to 10 minutes for large, exhausted fish.
Practice these methods and teach them to young anglers, our
next generation of conservationists!
FISHING INFO 85
LET’S GET THE LEAD OUT!
Effective Jan. 1, 2007 it will be illegal to use lead sinkers.
Loons and some other water birds can die from lead poisoning
after swallowing lead fishing sinkers and jigs lost by anglers.
You can help by switching to non-lead fishing tackle and by
helping to spread the word for others to do the same.
A loon with lead poisoning may have physical and behavioral
changes, including loss of balance, gasping, tremors, and
impaired ability to fly. A weakened bird is more vulnerable to
predators and it may have trouble feeding, mating, nesting,
or caring for its young. After ingesting lead some loons lose
weight and die within two to three weeks.
SUNRISE AND SUNSET TABLES
(Eastern Standard time-Montpelier, VT)
Add 1 hour for daylight Savings Time if and when in use
JAN.
FEB.
MAR.
APR.
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
1
7 26
4 22
7 09
5 00
6 28
5 38
5 32
6 17
2
7 26
4 23
7 07
5 01
6 26
5 39
5 30
6 18
3
7 26
4 24
7 06
5 02
6 25
5 41
5 28
6 20
4
7 26
4 25
7 05
5 04
6 23
5 42
5 27
6 21
5
7 26
4 26
704
5 05
6 21
5 43
5 25
6 22
6
7 26
4 27
7 03
5 07
6 19
5 45
5 23
6 23
7
7 26
4 28
7 01
5 08
6 18
5 46
5 21
6 24
8
7 25
4 29
7 00
5 09
6 16
5 47
5 19
6 26
• Use non-lead fishing weights
9
7 25
4 30
6 59
5 11
6 14
5 48
5 18
6 27
• Spread the word. Tell other anglers about the problem
and encourage them to switch to non-lead alternatives
10
7 25
4 31
6 57
5 12
6 12
5 50
5 16
6 28
11
7 25
4 32
6 56
5 14
6 10
5 51
5 14
6 29
• Remove lead sinkers and jigs from your tacklebox
12
7 24
4 33
6 55
5 15
6 09
5 52
5 12
6 31
13
7 24
4 34
6 53
5 16
6 07
5 54
5 11
6 32
14
7 23
4 36
6 52
5 18
6 05
5 55
5 09
6 33
15
7 23
4 37
6 50
5 19
6 03
5 56
5 07
6 34
16
7 22
4 38
6 49
5 20
6 01
5 57
5 06
6 35
17
7 22
4 39
6 47
5 22
6 00
5 59
5 04
6 37
18
7 21
4 41
6 46
5 23
5 58
6 00
5 02
6 38
19
7 20
4 42
6 44
5 25
5 56
6 01
5 01
6 39
20
7 20
4 42
6 43
5 26
5 54
6 02
4 59
6 40
21
7 19
4 45
6 41
5 27
5 52
6 04
4 57
6 42
22
7 18
4 46
6 40
5 29
5 50
6 05
4 56
6 43
23
7 17
4 47
6 38
5 30
5 49
6 06
4 54
6 44
24
7 17
4 49
6 36
5 31
5 47
6 07
4 52
6 45
25
7 16
4 50
6 35
5 33
5 45
6 09
4 51
6 47
26
7 15
4 51
6 33
5 34
5 43
6 10
4 49
6 48
27
7 14
4 53
6 31
5 35
5 41
6 11
4 48
6 49
28
7 13
4 54
6 30
5 37
5 39
6 12
4 46
6 50
29
7 12
4 55
5 38
6 13
4 45
6 51
30
7 11
4 57
5 36
6 15
4 43
6 53
31
7 10
4 58
5 34
6 16
Research in the northeastern United States and Canada has
documented that poisoning from lead sinkers and jigs can
account for 10 to 50 percent of dead adult loons found. It is the
leading cause of observed loon deaths here in the Northeast.
What can you do to help?
Some other ways to help loons:
• Remove spent fishing line and other materials from
Vermont waters and shorelines to reduce entanglement,
another cause of loon deaths
• Maintain a respectful distance from wild animals. Use
binoculars to get a great view
• Observe and report loon sightings and nest activities,
but do not approach a nest
• Participate in the annual Vermont Loon Watch on the
third Saturday in July. For information call 802-2413700.
• Support continuing loon and other nongame wildlife
management efforts by donating to the Vermont
Nongame Wildlife Fund on your Vermont income tax
form or on hunting and fishing license applications
• Buy Vermont Conservation License Plates for your
vehicle
Preventing Human Lead Exposure from Fishing Sinkers
DAY
Some fishing sinkers contain lead. Lead can be dangerous to
your body if breathed in or eaten. Prolonged and high levels
of exposure to lead can cause brain and nerve damage, slowed
growth in children, and reproductive problems and high blood
pressure in adults.
• Switch to sinkers that do not contain lead or zinc.
Alternatives to lead sinkers are made of steel, bismuth,
tungsten, resin and glass.
In order to prevent exposure to lead, please handle lead sinkers
with care and use the following guidelines:
If you suspect lead poisoning in your child or yourself, or you
would like further information, call:
• Wash hands with soap after holding or using lead
sinkers
• Never put lead sinkers in your mouth. This includes
biting down on or chewing lead sinkers.
• Never handle or eat food immediately after handling
lead sinkers unless hands have been washed with soap
first
• Take proper precautions when melting lead and pouring
sinkers at home
86 FISHING INFO
Vermont Department of Health
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
800-439-8550 or 802-865-7786
This office provides screening, public information and
technical assistance:
The National Lead Clearing House, 800-424-LEAD
(Eastern Standard time-Montpelier, VT)
Add 1 hour for daylight Savings Time if and when in use
MAY
JUNE
JULY
(Eastern Standard time-Montpelier, VT)
Add 1 hour for daylight Savings Time if and when in use
AUG.
SEPT.
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
1
4 42
6 54
4 10
7 27
4 10
7 38
4 37
7 15
1
2
4 40
6 55
4 09
7 28
4 11
7 38
4 38
7 14
2
3
4 39
6 56
4 09
7 28
4 11
7 37
4 40
7 13
3
4
4 38
6 57
4 08
7 29
4 12
7 37
4 41
7 11
4
5
4 36
6 59
4 08
7 30
4 12
7 37
4 42
7 10
5
6
4 35
7 00
4 07
7 31
4 13
7 37
4 43
7 09
6
7
4 34
7 01
4 07
7 31
4 14
7 36
4 44
7 07
7
8
4 32
7 02
4 07
7 32
4 15
7 36
4 45
7 06
8
9
4 31
7 03
4 07
7 33
4 15
7 35
4 46
7 05
9
10
4 30
7 04
4 06
7 33
4 16
7 35
4 47
7 03
10
11
4 28
7 06
4 06
7 34
4 17
7 34
4 49
7 02
11
12
4 27
7 07
4 06
7 34
4 18
7 34
4 50
7 00
12
13
4 26
7 08
4 06
7 35
4 18
7 33
4 51
6 59
13
14
4 25
7 09
4 06
7 35
4 19
7 32
4 52
6 57
14
15
4 24
7 10
4 06
7 36
4 20
7 32
4 53
6 56
15
16
4 23
7 11
4 06
7 36
4 21
7 31
4 54
6 54
16
17
4 22
7 12
4 06
7 37
4 22
7 30
4 56
6 52
17
18
4 21
7 13
4 06
7 37
4 23
7 30
4 57
6 51
18
19
4 20
7 14
4 06
7 37
4 24
7 29
4 58
6 49
19
20
4 19
7 16
4 06
7 37
4 25
7 28
4 59
6 48
20
21
4 18
7 17
4 06
7 38
4 26
7 27
5 00
6 46
21
22
4 17
7 18
4 07
7 38
4 27
7 26
5 01
6 44
22
23
4 16
7 19
4 07
7 38
4 28
7 25
5 02
6 43
23
24
4 15
7 20
4 07
7 38
4 29
7 24
5 04
6 41
24
25
4 14
7 21
4 07
7 38
4 30
7 23
5 05
6 39
25
26
4 14
7 22
4 08
7 38
4 31
7 22
5 06
6 38
26
27
4 13
7 22
4 08
7 38
4 32
7 21
5 07
6 36
27
28
4 12
7 23
4 09
7 38
4 33
7 20
5 08
6 34
28
29
4 11
7 24
4 09
7 38
4 34
7 19
5 09
6 32
29
30
4 11
7 25
4 10
7 38
4 35
7 18
5 11
6 31
30
31
4 10
7 26
4 36
7 16
5 12
6 29
31
DAY
DAY
OCT.
NOV.
DEC.
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
5 13
6 27
5 48
5 32
6 27
4 40
7 05
4 13
5 14
6 25
5 49
5 30
6 28
4 39
7 07
4 12
5 15
6 23
5 50
5 28
6 30
4 38
7 08
4 12
5 16
6 22
5 51
5 26
6 31
4 36
7 09
4 12
5 17
6 20
5 52
5 24
6 32
4 35
7 10
4 12
5 19
6 18
5 54
5 23
6 34
4 34
7 11
4 11
5 20
6 16
5 55
5 21
6 35
4 33
7 12
4 11
5 21
6 14
5 56
5 19
6 36
4 31
7 13
4 11
5 22
6 12
5 57
5 17
6 38
4 30
7 14
4 11
5 23
6 11
5 59
5 15
6 39
4 29
7 15
4 11
5 24
6 09
6 00
5 14
6 40
4 28
7 16
4 11
5 25
6 07
6 01
5 12
6 42
4 27
7 16
4 11
5 27
6 05
6 02
5 10
6 43
4 26
7 17
4 11
5 28
6 03
6 04
5 08
6 44
4 25
7 18
4 12
5 29
6 01
6 05
5 07
6 46
4 24
7 19
4 12
5 30
6 00
6 06
5 05
6 47
4 23
7 19
4 12
5 31
5 58
6 07
5 03
6 48
4 22
7 20
4 12
5 32
5 56
6 09
5 02
6 50
4 21
7 21
4 13
5 34
5 54
6 10
5 00
6 51
4 20
7 21
4 13
5 35
5 52
6 11
4 58
6 52
4 19
7 22
4 14
5 36
5 50
6 12
4 57
6 53
4 18
7 23
4 14
5 37
5 48
6 14
4 55
6 55
4 18
7 23
4 14
5 38
5 46
6 15
4 54
6 56
4 17
7 24
4 15
5 39
5 45
6 16
4 52
6 57
4 16
7 24
4 16
5 41
5 43
6 18
4 51
6 58
4 16
7 24
4 16
5 42
5 41
6 19
4 49
7 00
4 15
7 25
4 17
5 43
5 39
6 20
4 48
7 01
4 15
7 25
4 18
5 44
5 37
6 22
4 46
7 02
4 14
7 25
4 18
5 45
5 35
6 23
4 45
7 03
4 14
7 26
4 19
5 46
5 33
6 24
4 43
7 04
4 13
7 26
4 20
6 25
4 42
7 26
4 21
Help Protect Vermont’s Waters
Non-native, invasive aquatic plants and animals are a probelm,
but you can be part of the SOLUTION!
When you purchase an Aquatic Nuisance Species Sticker for $10:
$9 of your purchase goes directly toward funding efforts to control infestations
and prevent the spread of invasive plants and animals in Vermont’s waters.
You can help spread awareness of the issue of invasive species in Vermont’s waterbodies
by displaying this lovely painting created by Vermont artist, Holly Thompson.
And you will be able to treat yourself and guest to a one-time free entry to any
Vermont Park Day Use Area!
So look for one in a store near you or visit our website to find out more.
VTWaterQuality.org
AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUNRISE AND SUNSET TABLE 87